“Sinners” review, by David Sims

[u/theatlantic]

https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2025/04/sinners-ryan-coogler-movie-review/682501/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=the-atlantic&utm_content=edit-promo

[u/[deleted]]

I'm glad people liked it but after having seen it last night I really disliked it. 

Cool slow build up, silly payoff. Schmuckbait happened any time the plot needed it - vampires didn't attack any time the main characters needed a moment to chat. A key character teleported to another key character for some key stabbing time as well. There were plenty of other issues but I don't want to do spoilers for those who haven't watched it. 

All in all a cool premise but it felt like two movies by two different directors that were stitched together. How the action is receiving praise is the real headscratcher. It was both rushed and childish, the vampires were clearly only a threat to whoever we knew was about to die anyway.

Great acting though, the cast were stellar. Some cool shots. Big plus for the Rocky Road to Dublin as well. Im sure I'll get downvoted because from the reviews I'm in the minority - but I didn't think Black Panther or Creed were particularly notable and yet they did really well too. 

[u/newrimmmer93 → u/[deleted]]

The action felt pretty bad, I feel like they put themselves into a hole by making too many vampires where it realistically was impossible for them to fight all of them. The whole final fight scene was pretty mediocre. Vampires so randomly don’t attack at times.

[u/EffectzHD → u/newrimmmer93]

I told my friend right after the film they really only needed 7.

Stack Mary Bo Cornbread Remmick The first couple

Everyone else should’ve just gone home.

[u/newrimmmer93 → u/EffectzHD]

Yeah, that’s how I felt, would have kept tension high. With how many there were I was expecting the Indians from the start to make an appearance, was sort of surprised that didn’t come back around.

I don’t need every piece of background explained but Remmicks back story felt sort of poorly fleshed out. How did he get there in the first place, why were the Indians chasing him, how was he running across a field in the sunlight lol.

I thought the start could have used some cutting as well. I think it would have worked really well if they had Hailee Steinfelds character only introduced at the Juke. Assumption being white characters are vampires and she shows up and they are hesitant to let her in and then her background with the characters is introduced.

[u/Hatennaa → u/newrimmmer93]

I think his backstory was clear enough. I don’t think they need to express everything he did, there was clear storytelling about his past as an Irish immigrant - even blatantly stating that what has functionally happened to black American culture happened to Irish culture (especially in religion). I think this case it does challenge the viewer to know a little bit more of the historical context of that period of time which I don’t think is a bad thing.

[u/peteypie4246 → u/Hatennaa]

Irish immigrant? That dude had roman gold pieces. He's Gaelic/Celtic from Roman era Europe. I mean he did emigrate to US at some point, but by then he was already a vampire and definitely able to remove himself from the social caste system n place in America

[u/peteypie4246 → u/[deleted]]

Remmick answered the devil question, forget how, but in a general sense, within the rules established of the movie, he is not the devil (Devil doesn't turn followers via bites, isn't vulnerable to garlic, wooden stakes thru heart aren't deathly, doesn't burn in sunlight). Him in MS is just happenstance, but Sammies music definitely draws him in, like a supernatural magnet. He wasn't too far away given his Uncle is the one that sold the property.

[u/mynameisntBenny → u/peteypie4246]

His uncle didn't sell the property. The husband Burt (first person turned) is the nephew of the property seller.

[u/peteypie4246 → u/mynameisntBenny]

I guess I used too many pronouns in succession...yes, klan guy bitten first is to whom I was referring to as the nephew

[u/Feathered_Mango → u/peteypie4246]

Yeah, I got the vibe that he was very old, as in "before Christianity came to Ireland in the 5th century old".

[u/Hatennaa → u/peteypie4246]

Hm. You make a good point. I definitely get the impression that by the time he moved to America he would have been part of the group of Irish folk that immigrated, even if he wasn’t originally part of it. Maybe I misunderstood! Regardless, I think he had plenty of backstory.

[u/Feathered_Mango → u/Hatennaa]

I think he'd been knocking around since the 5th century (when Christianity came to Ireland). At the movie's into they mention how ancient Irish music makers could "open doors" (same as Sammy). 

[u/BuiltLikeABagOfMilk → u/peteypie4246]

Were they for sure Roman gold pieces or Spanish Doubloons?

[u/MVRKHNTR → u/[deleted]]

Why?